Transfer : Ibrahimovic and Man Utd in talks

Manchester United have started talks over a new deal to bring back striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, according to Sky in Italy.

The 35-year-old Swede is a free agent following his release from Old Trafford at the end of last season and is battling back to fitness after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in April.
His rehabilitation has continued at the club's Carrington training complex, with Jose Mourinho saying in July that he could resume at United despite Romelu Lukaku's arrival. "Why not wait for such a good player that gave us so much?" he said.
And with the latest news from Italy, it would seem United are stepping up their efforts to secure a return for the player who shone in his first season in the Premier League, scoring 28 goals in 46 appearances before injury struck.

Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola told Sky in May there had been offers from "many leagues" for the former PSG and Barcelona striker and that he would "remain in Europe 100 per cent", adding he still had "one more year, maybe two" left in his career.
AC Milan have been the latest side to be interested in Ibrahimovic as they continue to overhaul their squad in a summer that has seen several Serie A sides make big statements in the transfer market.
Atletico Madrid were also linked, while LA Galaxy president said their doors were "always open" for a player they had an "incredible relationship" with.

Ibrahimovic would also be welcomed by his former team-mates. Paul Pogba said earlier in August: "He's still a big leader because he's still in the team, even he's not playing he's a leader outside of the pitch." - SKY

Transfer news : Arsenal's Giroud not interested in Marseille move, admits Garcia

Rudi Garcia has dismissed Marseille's chances of signing Olivier Giroud from Arsenal, as he feels the striker has no interest in joining the Ligue 1 side.

Giroud's future at Emirates Stadium has been the subject of considerable speculation during the close season following the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon.
Arsene Wenger splashed out a club-record fee, thought to be in the region of €53 million, for Lacazette last month and he has been first choice as Arsenal's lone central attacker in their pre-season friendlies.

Lacazette was also given the nod in the Community Shield against Chelsea last weekend, although it was substitute Giroud - having replaced Lacazette - who scored the winning penalty to secure a 4-1 shoot-out win following a 1-1 draw at Wembley.
With Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott also vying for the role of centre-forward, chances for Giroud could be limited in 2017-18, and that has led to speculation he could return to France.
Marseille have been one club heavily linked with the 30-year-old, but Garcia says the France international is not interested in a move to the Stade Velodrome.

"I think he [Giroud] does not want to come to Marseille," Garcia told L'Equipe . "That is the problem.
"It can be understood, when you are the striker of the French [national] team, that he's eventually going to change clubs, but he may have other interests than OM. We need people motivated to play in our country.

"It also shows that we have steps to take in order to be attractive [to players]. Today we are still a little short [of appealing to top players].
"I do not know which forward we will get to come, but I hear a lot of things, and you do not want people to dream and think we're going to sign a top player. - Goal

OMG !!! Police rescue man with both hands nailed to a tree [VIDEO]

The US Police have rescued a man named Jose Duran whose two hands were nailed to a tree in the forest area of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
According to Breitbart News website, a city worker (who preferred not be named) discovered Duran with both hands nailed to a tree and screaming for help.

“He kept yelling, ‘Help. Help,’ and so I came and I saw him and I kind of freaked out because I didn’t know if there was any other guys around,” the city worker told police.
Breitbart further reports that a police officer who followed the city worker to the forest finally found Duran nailed to a tree, still conscious, breathing, and groaning in pain.
The officer immediately called for paramedic rescue.
However, Duran initially refused to tell the officer his name but finally gave some details about how he ended up there.

He claimed two men were sent that day to threaten and scare him after he was involved in an ugly real estate deal, which he says is all laid out in documents.
Duran later took journalists to the exact same spot where more than a dozen first responders worked to set him free.
Police have however said they didn’t suspect this was a payback for crime or a cartel-related punishment.

It said Duran does not have a criminal record, but he did have a long-running court battle over a real estate issue.

Police have also not made any arrests in the case yet. - Daily Post

''Ole gbe ole gba '' ! Three men remanded in prison for allegedly stealing N9.2m from Lagos Speaker

The Federal high court in Lagos has sent 3 men to Ikoyi prison for theft of N9.2 million, belonging to Lagos State House of Assembly speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.

The men, Frank Nwokobia, 27, Ezeoke Kanayochukwu, 25, and Godwin Essien, 28, were charged by the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), of the Lagos State Police Command, Panti-Yaba, of the Nigerian Police Force and arraigned on Wednesday, August 9, 2017.

The trio allegedly conspired to hack the Facebook account of the speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly and also gained access to his account at Guaranty Trust Bank, where they stole his N9,188,100.
The men were all arraigned before Justice Chuka Obiozor, on a five-count charge of conspiracy, impersonation, and theft.
The police prosecutor, Barrister Williams Olu Ologun informed the court that the three accused were arrested in Delta State, after Obasa, petitioned the police that his Facebook account had been hacked into and that the sum of N9.188,100 million had been withdrawn from his account by unidentified individuals.

Ologun also stated that upon the arrest of the accused, they voluntarily made statement admitting being into cybercrime business.

The offences alleged to have been committed by the accused persons are contrary to sections 27(1)(b) and 22(2)(b)(ii) of Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act, 2015.
The three accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Chuka Obiozor, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety each.

The surety must be recommended by their lawyer, who must be resident of Lagos State, with landed property and three years tax payment. - Daily Post

Corruption brain box : FG approves appointment of 21 new federal permanent secretaries

Nigeria Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has approved the appointment of 21 new Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, announced this in a statement by Mr Haruna Imrana, Director, Communications in the office on Thursday in Abuja.
The permanent secretaries are Ehuria Ekeoma (Abia State); Akpan Sunday (Akwa Ibom); Anagbogu Nkiruka (Anambra); Walson-Jack Esther (Bayelsa); Gekpe Isu(Cross River); Aliboh Lawrence (Delta) and Uwaifo Clement ( Edo).
Others are Folayan Olaniyi (Ekiti state); Osuji Marcellinus (Imo); Mu’azu Abdulkadir (Kaduna); Sulaiman Lawal (Kano); Abdullahi Mashi (Katsina State); Adebiyi Adekunle, (Lagos); Ibrahim Wen, (NasarawaS tate); Odewale Olajide (Ogun) and Adesola Olusade (Ondo State).

Others are Adekunle Adeyemi,( Oyo state); Nabasu Bako, (Plateau); Ekaro Chukwumuebobo,( Rivers); Umar Bello, (Sokoto State) and Aduda Tanimu from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The statement added that their portfolios would be announced in due course. 

Only in Jungle republic : Man narrates how DSS arrested his brother over ‘social media comment’

Vincent Anaele, a native of Ikeduru local government area of Imo state, has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of holding his younger brother – Chisom Anaele – in custody for over three months “for no just cause”.

In a petition seen by TheCable, Anaele narrated how DSS operatives had arrested the younger brother – who is a pastor – at their residence at 12 Nzeocha street, Aba, Abia state, on April, 3.
He said since the arrest, operatives of the security agency had allegedly refused any access to him either by the family members or Austin Nwosu, the lawyer the family contacted.
Anaele said while DSS operatives at Abia, Imo and Rivers states denied knowledge of his arrest, family members were able to track the victim’s phone and discovered that he was kept at the office of the secret police in Port Harcourt.

“At the time of this arrest, he was on night gown which they did not allow him to change. When he demanded to know his offence, they slapped him,” he said.
“They did not tell my siblings who were in the same house with him about his offence, or the place they were taking him to, or who they were. They collected four phones and the torchlight and a wallet.”
Anaele said on getting to DSS office in Port Harcourt, the officer he met told him not to worry that his brother would be released after investigation.

The officer, according to him, however, insisted on not telling him the brother’s offence.
“I contacted a lawyer and he went several times and they refused to let him see my brother after several attempts. I have made attempts too but the officer in charge (OC) of legal issues at DSS met my lawyer and he agreed to bring him to court so that he will be bailed from there,” he said, adding however that the officer is yet to fulfil the promise.
“He even requested that we give him some money which we also did. The day he said my brother will be in court, they brought in two different persons instead of my brother, he was not one of those they brought. When my lawyer asked him, he said it was a mistake from them and pleaded with him. Up till now, he has not done anything about it.

“I am confused, my family is poor and my little siblings are not doing anything serious for a living. The little savings I had out of my job as a sales man with a company in Owerri is gone over this matter and yet there is no positive result so far.”
He said the DSS operatives later claimed they arrested Chisom as a result of the comment he made on the social media “which is not true”.
According to him, “it is a conspiracy against him from his fellow pastors and neighbourhood to humiliate him”.

“As a matter of fact, a man who identified himself as one Francis called me recently and said he was in the same cell with my brother at DSS, Port Harcourt, before he was released. He said he was there when my brother was brought in and it was my brother that gave him the contact to reach my family,” he said.
“He, however, said they moved him from there a day after they brought him into the cell… he also promised to testify in court about this if he is called upon to do so.”
Anaele added that his brother was later transferred to the DSS office in Abuja while the agency refused to either release him or to charge him to court.

He said a letter had been written to the DSS headquarters in Abuja through Henry Nwawuba, a member of the house of representatives, but no response had been received.
“Till now, they’ve refused to say what my brother said (on the social media). I was in their office last week Thursday, they confirmed he’s there but they said they’re not the ones that came to arrest him. They want to kill my brother,” he lamented.

The DSS could not be reached for comments as the agency has not appointed a spokesman. One Tony Opuiyo who acts as the agency’s spokesman only sign press releases and statements but has no dedicated line through which inquiries can be made. - Cable Nigeria

Failed presidency !! Stupid leaders !!! Anti-Buhari protest regains momentum as Jim Iyke, Aisha Yesufu storm Unity Fountain

The protest demanding the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday gathered momentum with Aisha Yesufu, co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement and Jim Iyke, popular Nollywood actor, joining the protesters. 

The protesters, who began their sit-in at Unity Fountain, Abuja, on Monday, are demanding that Buhari return to the country or resign.
The president has been receiving medical attention in the United Kingdom since May 7 when he left the country.
On Tuesday, the police clamped down on the protesters, alleging that hoodlums had infiltrated the group.

But speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Charles Oputa, popular musician, better known as Charly Boy, said the group would not be deterred despite the clamp down.
He described the police’ action as “sad, very wrong and disgraceful.”
Oputa also alleged that the action of the security agencies was being controlled by some “cabal.”

“We also use the press in a positive way, that was what turned against them. That was why they came out in full force yesterday because they were overwhelmed with the turnout,” he said.
“I know that all of this is being controlled by the people who have captured the power, they tell them (the police) what to do and this is the evil we are up against.”
The rights activist also said that contrary to insinuations, the group has nothing against the president.

“We have nothing against Buhari, as far as we are concerned, he seems to be an honourable person but it is this cabal around him,” he added.
“Remember one time, his wife was crying out [about the cabal], this is exactly what she was trying to tell Nigerians.”
Similarly, Jim Iyke also justified the group’s call for the president to return to the country or resign.
He said the group would remain united in their cause “no matter what happens.”

“Enough is enough. It is a simple thing, our mantra is one, our decision is one,” he said.
“Unequivocally, we are saying that the president either resumes or resigns. It is natural when you get old, you shift and let the young ones take over.”

Aisha Yesufu, who is joining the group for the first time, had also asked the president to resign earlier in May.
A strong critic of the Buhari-led administration, Yesufu had said nothing was working in Nigeria with an acting president piloting the nation’s affairs.
According to her, “when are we going to realise that this acting president thing is not working out, it’s really not working out?” she asked.
“Things are stagnating in Nigeria, for crying out loud, the president is sick, the president is not capable of discharging his duty as president, why can’t he resign.”
Meanwhile, Buhari’s handlers have since condemned the protest, insisting that the president had done nothing wrong.
 - Cable Nigeria

Transfer updates : Barca's £90.4m Coutinho bid rejected

Liverpool have immediately rejected a second bid from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho, according to Sky sources.

Sky Sports News understands Barca's latest offer for the forward was €85m (£76.8m) up front, with €15m (£13.6m) add-ons.
Liverpool have reiterated their stance that Coutinho is not for sale and now consider the matter closed.

The La Liga giants had a £72m bid for the Brazil international rejected in July and, having sold Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record £200m last week, turned their attentions to pursuing the 25-year-old.
Coutinho, a key figure for Liverpool since arriving from Inter Milan in January 2013, registered 13 goals and seven assists for the Reds during their 2016/17 Premier League campaign.

Jurgen Klopp on Wednesday described Liverpool as being "in a good shape" ahead of the new season but kept quiet about Coutinho's future.

The playmaker signed a new five-year contract with Klopp's side in January and the club remain adamant their player is not for sale.
Sky Sports News earlier this week reported the Brazilian would like to move to the Nou Camp if a deal can be done amicably with Liverpool. - SKY

Travel : Saudia Airlines refuses to fly passengers who expose arms or legs

Saudia Airlines has issued a strict dress code for passengers and stated that it will refuse to fly people who deviate from it.

The airline is the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, a country which follows a conservative interpretation of Sunni Islam, Wahhabism.
On the passengers code of conduct section of their website Saudia asks that travellers are not “clothed in a manner that would cause discomfort or offence to other passengers. Women exposing legs or arms, or wearing too thin or too tight clothes and men wearing shorts exposing legs."

The airline already has rules for its customers which adhere to the laws of the Kingdom. Saudia flights are an alcohol free zone as it is illegal to import or consume alcohol in Saudia Arabia.
Saudia Arabia is one of the few Muslim majority countries that imposes a dress code by law. All women, foreign and local, must wear an abaya (a long loose garment that covers their clothes) in public places. - The Independent

Relationships : Serena Williams slammed for saying she can't wait to give birth and be a 'real woman'

Serena Williams is facing a backlash, after saying that giving birth will make her a 'real woman'.

The 35-year-old, who is due to give birth to her first child with fiance Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, next month, has angered fans with the remarks made during an interview with Australian newspaper the Herald Sun. 

"I have so much respect for so many women [for giving birth],' Williams said. "I am about to be a real woman now, you know? It's going to be something incredibly impressive to go through."

Her comments have drawn criticism, with social media users accusing her of having a 'narrow' world view and questioning whether she thinks those who are unable to have children - or choose not to - are not "real women".

In the same interview, Williams said:  “I definitely am a feminist. I like to stick up for women and women’s rights. So many things happen and I just think, ‘Wow, why don’t we have a chance?’ If that makes me a feminist, I am proud to be one.”

She also admitted that watching birthing videos "makes it worse. Having a baby, nothing is guaranteed".

Williams announced she was pregnant via Snapchat in April. She is thought to have won the Australian Open - her 23rd grand slam title - in January when already pregnant. - The Telegraph